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A curated collection of books and resources to deepen your spiritual journey, expand your understanding of soul care and justice, and inspire thoughtful reflection and transformation in your life and community. Recommended Reads Resourcing Wellness in Community Recommended Reads are designed to enrich the lives of people and communities alike... mind, body, and spirit. “Education serves a twofold purpose in society. On one hand, it should discipline the mind for sustained and thoughtful reflection. On the other, it should integrate human life around central, guiding ideals. It is a tragedy that the latter is often neglected in our educational system" (Martin Luther King Jr.). “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it "(George Santayana). "Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom" (George Washington Carver). As we engage these works, we hold both text and context with care... honoring the words themselves while remaining attentive to the histories, power dynamics, and lived realities that shape them. Reading, then, becomes not just an act of learning, but an act of healing, remembrance, and liberation. May these resources invite you to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the fullness of your own spiritual journey as we walk together in Jesus’ way of justice, mercy, and love. Features of the Month Soul Care Spiritual Formation Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Lament Advent Prayer Devo Lament & Advent Soul Readings Reparative Healing Reparative Healing Colonialism Colorism Caste Nationalism. Colorism. & Caste. Mainline Church Racial Dilemma Mainline Church Racial Dilemma Historical Racial Compromise Historical Racial Compromise Black African American Religious Studies Black & African American Religious Studies EARLY AFRICAN CHRISTIANITY BIBLIOGRAPHY Video & Primary Texts by Jude3 Project View More THE BIBLE PROJECT Videos Podcast & Guides View More ASIAN AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION Videos , Han Theology Article & Books View More

Lament Lent Prayers offers guided resources, readings, and songs that help you pray through grief, seek justice, and encounter hope during the Lenten journey. Lament as Sacred Formation "The reasons that lament is risky are because it challenges power structures, it calls for justice, and it makes demands on our relationships with the "powers that be," one another, and God. Once lament is released, it cannot be recalled. Lament is risky because we never know until the act is done whether or not we have gone too far. Lament allows the pain to escape and stitches us to our neighbors. We are called to weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn. Our tears are our prayers when we can't speak, a baptism of sorts, salty healing, a sign of our vulnerability, and a liturgical response to violence. Lament is a collective response to tyranny and injustice. When we are confronted with the horror of our violence-laden society, our mindless killing of innocents, we shift from individual sobs to a solidarity cry to collective moans." ~ Barbara Holmes, Crisis Contemplation Prayers & Pathways of Lament From Lament to Partnership: The Christian Response to Racial Injustice In the wake of George Floyd’s death, many churches struggled not only with what to say, but how to respond faithfully amid grief, anger, and moral urgency. Rev. Kelvin Walker and Dr. Soong-Chan Rah lead a thoughtful conversation rooted in the Black experience, Christian lament, and the call to partnership against racial injustice. While shaped by a specific moment in history, this discussion continues to stand the test of time by addressing enduring patterns of racialized suffering and the church’s responsibility within them. The Need for Lament Professor, Author, and Theologian Soong-Chan Rah argues that the deeply rooted triumphalism and exceptionalism in the American society are causing the absence of lament in the American churches. Churches today must not only recognize the need for lament, but also practice the discipline of lament both within and beyond the walls of the church ( Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times ). 'Hold On' A Message of Lament, Hope, and Action for Black Life A message of lament, hope, and action for Black life, “Hold On” calls the church and community to reckon with pain and press into faithful response. Rooted in honest grief and enduring hope, it invites reflection on racial injustice and what it means to stand for justice with love and courage. This message doesn’t settle for surface-level comfort but points toward practical compassion and sustained solidarity. An American Lament This devotional is a journey through America’s history of slavery, segregation, and racism. At times, it may feel like a voyage into the shadow of death. But even in that deep darkness, God is with us and his light is the hope that guides us. Chasing Justice: Lent Dust to Dust: A Lenten Invitation to Liberation ... how can we experience transformation without knowing what needs liberation? The life and death of Christ invites us, for our own integrity, to examine and reconsider how we ourselves have been complicit in corporate and systemic wrong. This forty day journey to deepen our love for Creator and Christ through the Spirit’s transforming power is the invitation of lent. The Center for Formation Justice & Peace We invite you to embark on a transformative Lenten journey that intertwines deep spiritual reflection with the pursuit of justice and peace. We offer a rich tapestry of resources and practices designed to nurture your inner life and inspire outward action. Our offerings aim to deepen your connection to Christlike character while actively engaging in the work of justice. Between the Lines of Asian, Black, and White This piece explores Han theology as a way of understanding the weight of collective sorrow carried within communities and history. It reminds us that the good news of Christ does not move around lament but alongside it. May this reading create space to encounter grief, solidarity, and hope with greater honesty. Related Article: How Grieving Can Make Us Well by Naomi K. Lu 'A Just Lent' Invitation Using A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journey , and the lectionary, we take a look at various aspects of justice, its importance to God and why the church has often regrettably failed to live out God’s call to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord.” Also, learn about Transforming Center: Love, Lent, and Leadership: Fashioning Your Own Wilderness where we follow the lectionary schedule. Black Liturgies Cole Arthur Riley's Black Liturgies is a contemplative project that combines faith, spirituality, and the Black experience through prayers, poetry, and reflections. It serves as a form of liturgy that acknowledges the unique struggles, resilience, and beauty within the Black community, offering words of comfort, healing, and justice ( Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human ). Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) CCDA is inviting you into a Lenten journey. Excerpts from our Immerse online curriculum will prompt your thoughts and lead you in reflection. We also encourage you to use a 40 day printable prayer drawing provided by Praying In Color . Click here for instructions on how to use this resource to visually and creatively give glory to God this Lenten Season. How Can I Lament? Lament Books and Articles | The process of writing our own lament, using these nine steps modeled after the Psalms: Cry out to God (your address to God); Complaint (your anger, pain, heartache, or sadness); Affirmation of Trust (your remembrance of God’s presence in your past); Petition/Request (your deepest desire); Additional Argument (anything more, why God should intervene); Rage against Your Enemies (bringing your enemies before God); Assurance of Being Heard (what you need to feel heard); Promise to Offer Praise to God (the promise you can offer to God); and Assurance (the attribute of God you are thankful for in the moment). What to Pray When Pain Takes Your Words by Nathan Foster Lamentations by BP Laments express our distress to God as an appropriate response to suffering. Listen Resmaa Menakem Notice the Rage; Notice the Silence. Listen John Onwuchekwa A helpful reframing of grief that has the power to change. Listen Readings on Lament & Lent Prayers View More Songs of Lament to Praise An invitation to sing through lament, find rest in surrender, and be renewed in Hope. Bifrost Arts Common Hymnal A Lament Service Urban Doxology Justice Choir Porter's Gates Mahalia Jackson Hip Hop as Contemplative Form Ruthie Foster Chandler Moore Sweet in the Honey Rock Groundwork Reads

Explore faith-based resources for justice, racial healing, and reconciliation. Discover books, films, and formation tools that nurture righteousness and community healing. Build a World of Justice & Righteousness The Color of Compromise The Color of Compromise Video Study Extended Trailer The Color of Compromise takes readers on a historical journey: from America’s early colonial days through slavery and the Civil War, covering the tragedy of Jim Crow laws and the victories of the Civil Rights era, to today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Author Jemar Tisby reveals the obvious, and the far more subtle, ways the American church has compromised what the Bible teaches about human dignity and equality. He exposes the concrete and chilling ways people of faith have actively worked against racial justice, as well as the deafening silence of the white evangelical majority. He shows that while there has been progress in fighting racism, historically most of the American church has failed to speak out against this evil. This ongoing complicity is a stain upon the church, and sadly, it continues today. The Color of Compromise provides an accurate diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests creative ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people. RACE: The Power of an Illusion The Power of an Illusion questions the very idea of race as innate biology, suggesting that a belief in inborn racial difference is no more sound than believing that the sun revolves around the earth. Episode 1: The Difference Between Us examines the contemporary science, including genetics, that challenges our commonsense assumptions that human beings can be bundled into three or four fundamentally different groups according to their physical traits. Episode 2: The Story We Tell uncovers the roots of the race concept in North America, the 19th century science that legitimated it, and how it came to be held so fiercely in the western imagination. The episode is an eye-opening tale of how race served to rationalize, even justify, American social inequalities as "natural." Episode 3: The House We Live In asks, If race is not biology, what is it? This episode uncovers how race resides not in nature but in politics, economics and culture. It reveals how our social institutions "make" race by disproportionately channeling resources, power, status and wealth to white people. Freedom Road by Lisa Sharon Harper Slavery, the Church, and Christianity by Lisa Sharon Harper Tells the Truth Lisa Sharon Harper, former chief church engagement officer of Sojourners in Washington DC and prolific writer, speaker, and grass-tops organizer, founded Freedom Road in 2017 and set out to assemble an equally prolific and diverse team of leading experts, advocates and trainers dedicated to shrinking The Narrative Gap, as coined by Lisa Sharon Harper, in our nation. Through the power of story, the Freedom Road consulting group identifies your community’s core issues and strengthen its capacity to build a just world together. Our team works with faith communities, non-profits, academic institutions and the business sector. At the intersections of faith, race, gender, economic development and environmental justice, we custom design strategic forums, trainings, and transformational experiences that build your community’s capacity for collective engagement toward a more just world. Be the Bridge Founder and President Latasha Morrison: We exist to empower people and culture toward racial healing, equity and reconciliation. Our vision is that people and organizations are aware and respond to the racial brokenness and systemic injustice in our world. That we are no longer conditioned by a racialized society but are grounded in truth. That all are equipped to flourish. We build our bridges with three Piles, a foundation to carry the weight of this work. We inspire people to have a distinctive and transformative response to racial division and to be present and intentional toward racial reconciliation. We equip bridge-builders toward fostering and developing the vision, skills, and heart for racial healing. We partner with existing organizations who have a heart for racial justice, restoration, and reconciliation. Through the Eyes of Color Unspoken The vision of the Ministry encompasses apologetics that address current issues and the intellectual struggles of Christians of African descent in the United States and abroad. We are committed to equipping the local Church that the mandate of Jude 1:3 might be fulfilled, contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. The Unspoken documentary is an in-depth look into the Christian heritage of Africa and people of African descent, intended to dispel the notion of Christianity being an exclusively white man’s religion. Sankofa: A Journey Toward Racial Righteousness Sankofa Impact Sankofa is a word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. It means San (to return), ko (to go) fa (to fetch, seek, and take). The bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back embodies Sankofa’s meaning. Sankofa attests that we must look backwards (into our history), before we can faithfully move forward together, in the present and future. The Sankofa experience does just this, by exploring historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement, connecting the freedom struggle of the past, to our present realities. Sankofa is an invitation to understand race as a critical component of our Christian discipleship. It is an interactive, spiritual formation, pilgrimage that equips Christians to pursue racial righteousness inside and outside the church. This relational journey traces the history of race in the U.S., and tangibly equips believers to begin living into the church’s mission to be ambassadors of reconciliation. United Methodist North Carolina Conference Anti-Racism Resources The North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church is committed to anti-racism through discipleship, leadership development, congregational transformation, and advocacy for systemic change. By equipping individuals and communities with resources, training, and action steps, NCCUMC fosters courageous conversations, healing, and justice-centered ministry. CORE: Community Organization for Racial Equity Communities Organizing for Racial Equity (formerly CORR) has been providing Christ-centered anti-racism training for organizations and churches in the West Michigan community and beyond for over 20 years. We seek to pursue our God-sized vision of individuals, churches, and institutions discipled through a robust theology of justice, equipped for life-long biblical antiracism and pursuing shalom together as the beloved community. Racial Justice and Unity Center Faithful Antiracism by Christian Edmondson & Chad Brennan The Racial Justice and Unity Center (RJUC), facilitated by Renew Partnerships, is a Christian ministry dedicated to helping churches, leaders, and communities reflect the justice and unity of God’s kingdom. Grounded in Scripture and guided by the call of Jesus to love, peacemaking, and reconciliation, RJUC equips believers to recognize and address the realities of racial division through biblically based training, coaching, and assessment tools. Their work is informed by one of the largest research projects on racial dynamics in U.S. Christianity, ensuring both theological depth and practical application. With a focus on discipleship rather than divisive partisanship, RJUC invites the body of Christ into Spirit-led action that fosters healing, equity, and lasting unity. Undivided BEGINS WITH U Activating communities for racial healing and justice. What if engagement over diversity became a catalyst for increasing revenue and belonging in your workplace? Studies report racial segregation in U.S. workplaces is greater today than in the 1970s. Studies also demonstrate that diverse and psychologically safe work environments produce better outcomes. WorkingUNDIVIDED is a breakthrough program developed by the team at UNDIVIDED, Inc. What Can We Do? View More > Groundwork Reads

Discover monastery retreat centers offering sacred space for rest, prayer, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. Explore peaceful sanctuaries for soul care and reflection. Monastery Retreat Centers Prince of Peace Abbey Saint Andrew's Abbey Serra Retreat Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Passionist Retreat Center New Camaldoli Hermitage Suggest a Retreat Center Suggest a Retreat Center Sanctuaries of Renewal

Order your handcrafted elderberry syrup from Urban Wellness Living. Choose your sizes, enter your contact information, and place your order for local pick up or delivery of this immune supportive herbal syrup. Order Elderberry Syrup Now! First name Last name Email Phone Select Your Product(s): Item 1 Quantity Item 2 Quantity Item 3 Quantity Order Now Thanks for ordering!

Spiritual Direction sessions offer guided reflection, spiritual companionship, and soul care practices that support discernment, healing, and deeper connection with God. Complimentary Call Let’s take a moment to connect. Listening, learning, and exploring together how Soul Care and Spiritual Direction can nurture freedom, healing, and hope. Let's Connect Spiritual Direction An invitation into a sacred rhythm where your story, sorrows, and longings are held, your hidden strength is honored, and your transformation is companioned with care. Spiritual Direction Soul Care Mini-Retreat A space for groups to gather, rest, and receive spiritual care. Participants are invited to reflect, be supported, and explore practices that nurture both themselves and one another. Soul Care Mini-Retreat Why Spiritual Direction? A Journey of Transformation Why Spiritual Direction... because Spiritual Direction transformed my life when I needed it most. In one of my lowest moments, I finally raised my 'surrender flag' (literally, raised my hands!) and opened myself to the gift of spiritual directors and spiritual mentors. They walked with me as I faced the pain I had buried for far too long: overwhelming grief, stress, trauma, shame, anxiety, fear. All of it had been held behind protective armor I believed would keep me safe. There was something about the way they held space helped soften what felt impossible to face. I slowly began reclaiming parts of myself I had lost along the way. Still, it was two defining invitations that drew me deeply into this sacred path. The 'First Invitation' was the courage to name the wound. It began through a dream… unsettling and deeply embarrassing. Something buried in my soul surfaced without warning, forcing me to confront my own sexual brokenness. I tried everything to make it go away: prayer, healing services, repentance, striving. Yet the thoughts lingered. Shame whispered that I was beyond help. When I finally shared this with a trusted spiritual companion, her response surprised me. Instead of condemnation, she offered compassion and said simply, “Cynthia, you’ve been wounded. Those words settled into my body like truth I had been afraid to claim. I wasn’t defective. I wasn’t beyond repair. I was wounded. And Jesus, the Wounded Healer, was not turning away. He was inviting me into restoration. That moment marked the beginning of my interior work toward sustainable freedom. The 'Second Invitation' was wrestling with justice. It was a defining moment emerged through my own family story. My auntie, a fierce civil rights advocate for African American nurses, worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to break barriers in the medical field. She fought for equity, dignity, and spaces where Black nurses could thrive. Yet in her final years, I witnessed exhaustion, disappointment, and the heavy cost of battles fought without the rest she deserved. I struggled with God. More honestly, I raged. My anger reflected parts of the story of Hagar, an enslaved Egyptian immigrant woman unjustly cast into the wilderness, unseen and discarded. I could not reconcile what I was witnessing with the version of faith I had inherited. A faith entangled with individualistic caste-like ideals, promising ease for the faithful while overlooking the wounds of the marginalized and oppressed. What I encountered was not the life of Jesus as I had come to know it, but a theological derailment clothed in religious language, masking injustice and silencing the cries of the wounded. Yet in that wilderness, Hagar helped me see my own pain differently. I was drawn back to the justice of God... not a justice formed by prosperity logic or merit, but the embodied presence of a God who sees, who stays close, who does not abandon the wounded. Like Hagar, I had felt dismissed and unseen. Still, my anger did not disqualify me. It became a doorway... into lament, into righteous grief, into deeper truth. Even there, God was inviting me further: not only to grieve injustice, but to gently confront my own unexamined desires and instincts, the ones that could subtly mirror the very systems I longed to dismantle. The Power of Spiritual Direction & Strength in Surrender Here, in the tension between lament and hope, I began to embrace the layered work of healing... an inside-out transformation that could not be hurried. As I surrendered to this vulnerable path, an unavoidable truth resurfaced: to love my neighbor as I love myself . I had to ask hard, compassionate questions. How am I actually caring for myself with love? What happened that required so much self-protection that it began to shape, and at times limit, how I love others? I could no longer repress, suppress, or hyper-spiritualize my pain and struggles. They emerged fully... not demanding perfection, but inviting honesty. Vulnerability. Truth. Compassion. Grace. As I allowed myself to move through the process... naming grief, embracing what some clinicians and wellness practitioners refer to as ' clean pain ', and letting truth rise... something emerged. A liberation I had longed for, often without language, started to take root. Slowly, freedom unraveled patterns that had subtly kept me captive: ways of thinking and reacting shaped by fear, control, and longings I hadn’t yet known how to name. I became aware how these forces had shaped my imagination and guided my decisions beneath the surface. And yet, as I entrusted myself to the Healer, I found a steadier anchor. I was being redeemed not only from pain, but from a kind of inner captivity that had once helped me survive. I learned to honor my body as bearing God’s image. To receive rest as a sacred gift rather than reward. To discover unexpected strength through lament. I was being freed into a new way of living... new habits, renewed thought patterns, and an imagination reshaped by Love rather than fear. Purpose in Spiritual Direction & Networks of Freedom One of the most life-changing truths I have learned is this: soul work is never meant to be done alone. Healing is communal. Formation is relational. None of us arrive at truth by ourselves. The voices of those who encouraged, challenged, and walked with me revealed the sacred interconnectedness of our healing. The wisdom and endurance of my ancestors became a guiding thread, reminding me that my interior life is never a private project. The Spirit forms us internally so that God’s love may be made visible externally. Therese Taylor-Stinson names this truth beautifully in Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: “The more connected I am to those committed to freedom in my own life, the further I am able to travel in my own trek to freedom. Networks of freedom have supported my own growth, and I have built networks of my own to sustain and affirm the viability of community.” Her words continue to invite me, again and again, into soul care communities that cultivate freedom, and into the sacred work of creating spaces where others can experience that same liberation. Now more than ever, I see the lifeline of community... the call to keep growing, bridge-building, and sustaining this path of belonging, peace, and restoration that God longs for us to walk together. A Sacred Thread (A brief note about my heritage) Courtesy Disclaime r At Urban Wellness Living, the hope is to offer a space where people can tend to their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being in ways that feel honest, human, and rooted in God’s presence. Many of us arrive carrying grief, questions, fatigue, longing, or simply the desire for a deeper, more integrated way of living. Here, you are invited to come as you are. Nothing to fix. Nothing to prove. Spiritual direction offers room to slow down and pay attention… to the places within you that are asking for care, to the movements of God that may be subtle or surprising, and to the stories shaping how you live and love. This is not a path of striving or perfection, but a caring walk marked by curiosity, courage, compassion, and trust. It is also important to name clearly that Urban Wellness Living, including the Spiritual Direction and Soul Care Advising services I offer, is not a substitute for licensed counseling, psychotherapy, or medical diagnosis. When support from a trained mental-health professional is needed, seeking a qualified, licensed provider is both wise and life-giving. I am always willing to help you discern what kind of support best honors your needs in this season. In our work together, held with confidentiality and care, the focus will be on noticing what nurtures your growth, your resilience, and your experience of God’s nearness. This may include exploring holistic spiritual practices, reflecting on patterns in your life rather than judgment, or connecting you with additional community or professional resources when helpful. At its heart, spiritual direction is a shared listening… to your story, to your body and spirit, and to the God who meets you right where you are.

My Soul Care Rhythm embodies a profound commitment to care for the soul. In this cherished rhythm, I recognize the intricate orchestra between personal well-being and the greater harmony of community. Rooted in principles of compassion, love, and justice, I believe that nurturing the soul extends beyond individual contentment; it encompasses a collective pursuit of justice and righteousness for the sake of all humanity. The Faith I Share The faith I share is rooted in an ancient confession, written some three centuries after the birth of Jesus... an Affirmation of Faith meant to draw hearts and minds toward the foundational truths that unite us: belief in God*, Jesus Christ* , and the Holy Spirit*. Across generations, these words have been spoken in many Christian communities, offering a steady rhythm of hope and belonging. Yet, even as they remind us of our shared foundation, we recognize that divisions still wound the body of Christ. This Affirmation of Faith gently calls us back... back to the heart of what has the power to bridge our differences and awaken a shared vision of God’s reconciling love. It invites us to hold fast to the living hope we find in Jesus, a hope that transcends the boundaries often drawn by human systems and empire theologies. Just as God’s creation flourishes in radiant diversity... each culture, language, and people bearing its own beauty... we remember that all things, in their time, find their harmony and wholeness in Christ. I believe in God* the One who holds all things together, the Source of life, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus the Christ* God’s beloved Son, our companion and Redeemer. Conceived by the Holy Spirit’s power, born into the world through Mary’s courage, He entered our human story with love. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the depths of death and sorrow, yet on the third day, He rose again... a sign that love cannot be overcome. He ascended into the mystery of heaven and rests in communion with God, from where He will come again, restoring justice and mercy among the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit*... God’s breath still moving through creation, forming one sacred family of faith*. In the Spirit we are joined with all who have gone before us... the communion of saints, the gift of forgiveness, the promise of resurrection, and the life that has no end. Amen. God God, the One who holds all things together... is both strength and tenderness, mystery and intimacy. The Source of all life, God creates and sustains heaven and earth through boundless love (Genesis 1:1-2; Colossians 1:16-17). Scripture reveals God as Father and Mother, a Presence who comforts as a mother comforts her child (Isaiah 66:13) and who shepherds with steadfast care (Psalm 23:1-4; John 10:11). This Divine Love shapes us in wisdom and compassion, calling us to live in harmony with creation and with one another (Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:9). Made in the Image of God To be made in the image of God is to bear the reflection of Divine Love... a love that is both powerful and nurturing. Within each person lives the capacity for strength, creativity, tenderness, and mercy (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-14). God’s image is not limited by gender, culture, or language; rather, it is revealed through the fullness of humanity. In Scripture, Wisdom (Sophia) calls with a woman’s voice, guiding and sustaining life (Proverbs 8:1-3, 22-31). The Spirit, whose name Ruach or Rukha is feminine in Hebrew and Aramaic, breathes comfort and renewal into weary hearts (John 14:26; Romans 8:26). Jesus, too, speaks in maternal imagery, longing to gather his people “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Luke 13:34). These passages remind us that Divine Love is both fatherly and motherly... forming, restoring, and drawing us deeper into belonging (Hosea 11:3-4; Psalm 103:13). Jesus the Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth... among the humble and overlooked rather than the powerful or privileged (Luke 2:4-7; John 1:46). As a child, he fled violence and lived as a refugee in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). As a first-century Jewish man under Roman occupation, he entered the world without civil standing yet embodied God’s liberating presence among the people (Philippians 2:5-8). Through his life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus revealed the heart of God’s justice and mercy. His words on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and his proclamation in Nazareth (Luke 4:14-21; Isaiah 61:1-3) invite us to love God wholly, love our neighbors as ourselves, and participate in the renewal of creation (Deuteronomy 6:4-12; Matthew 22:34-40; Acts 2:42). In his suffering, Jesus stood with the persecuted and the weary... with the faithful Church of Smyrna and the enduring Church of Philadelphia (Revelation 2:8-11; 3:7-13), showing that even in weakness, Divine strength prevails (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). The risen Christ walks beside us still, the Good Shepherd leading us into truth, healing, and liberation (John 10:14-16; Luke 24:30-32). Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is God’s living breath, present and active from creation’s dawn, still moving through all that exists (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 104:30). The Spirit comforts, renews, and guides with tender strength, interceding for us with deep compassion (John 14:16-17, 26; Romans 8:26-27). In Scripture, the Spirit is Wisdom’s voice, leading us toward justice, unity, and peace (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit forms one sacred family of faith, connecting generations past and present, the communion of saints, reminding us that God’s presence cannot be confined (Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7). The Spirit is the divine rhythm of life that restores, reconciles, and breathes hope where there was none (Ezekiel 37:9-10; Titus 3:5-6). The Holy Catholic Church The Holy Catholic Church, meaning the universal body of Christ, embraces all who believe in Jesus across time, culture, and tradition (Ephesians 4:4-6; Galatians 3:28). The word “catholic” is not found in the Hebrew or Aramaic Scriptures; it comes from the Greek katholikos, meaning “universal” or “of the whole.” In the traditional creed, it does not refer to the Roman Catholic denomination, but to the worldwide fellowship of all who follow Christ. This sacred family of faith holds the beauty of diversity within unity, reflecting the Creator who delights in difference (Revelation 7:9-10). The Church exists not as an institution of power, but as a community of mercy and justice, called to embody God’s reconciling love in the world (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Micah 6:8).

Embodied Soul Care resources for spiritual formation, contemplative practice, and healing rooted in justice, embodied faith, and communal renewal. Embodied Soul Care Where to begin! The intention is for these resources to inspire you to discover enriching elements of soul care as spiritual formation... both personal and communal journey. As you look through these books, I invite you to notice which one reaches toward you, trusting that the Spirit often meets us through what resonates in the body, stirs curiosity, or settles us into a sense of peace and hope. Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village Disciplines of the Spirit Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman: Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter Sacred Self-Care: Daily Practices for Nurturing Our Whole Selves What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church Forged in the Fiery Furnace: African American Spirituality The Way of the Heart: Connecting with God Through Prayer, Wisdom, and Silence Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color Anatomy of the Soul The Enneagram for Black Liberation The Complete Enneagram Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God The Spirituals and the Blues Kaleidoscope: Broadening the Palette in the Art of Spiritual Direction The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transforms Us African Saints, African Stories: 40 Holy Men and Women Therese Taylor-Stinson Walking the Way of Harriet Tubman, Public Mystic and Freedom Fighter. Listen Lerita Coleman Brown What Makes You Come Alive, A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman. Listen E. Tray Clark A contemplative spirituality and preaching in the Black church. Listen

Soul Care Spiritual Formation guides you into a meaningful journey with God that nurtures your whole self in times of struggle and growth. It invites deeper connection, healing, and wisdom as you learn to live with love, purpose, compassion, and trust in God’s presence and transforming work in everyday life. Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Resourcing Wellness in Community Soul Care is the sacred and ongoing journey of nurturing the whole being in the presence of Creator God. It draws us beyond the surface of daily life into deeper connection, where we are met, seen, and loved. Here, God’s nearness is not something to grasp or perform for, but something to receive. As we become aware of Divine presence... especially in suffering, adversity, and struggle... we are invited to respond not through striving, but through resting, listening, and opening ourselves to transformation. Soul Care creates space for both God’s voice and our own to be heard, forming sacred ground where truth, healing, and belonging can take root at a pace that honors our humanity. Spiritual Formation is the lifelong shaping of our inner life and shared life through the transforming presence of God’s Spirit. It flows from this sacred journey, gradually shaping our way of being in alignment with God's spirit of justice, mercy, love, and humility. It invites individuals and communities into life-giving rhythms that reflect Divine purpose, grace, and embodied presence. This formation is not a destination to reach, but a responsive path we walk, an unfolding expression of hope and trust in God’s transforming movement already present beneath the surface of every moment. As we attend to this holy undercurrent of the soul... our motives, desires, and longings... we grow in awareness of how God’s love is being formed within us and shared through us, revealed and carefully restored. Soul Care & Spiritual Formation Centers The Center for Formation Justice & Peace Black Lives & Contemplation Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation Awakening | Heal Renew Inspire Center for Action & Contemplation Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation Emmaus Formation Centre Peacock Soul Care Transforming Center The Journey to Your True Self | Calhoun Renovare Spiritual Directors Spiritual Director of Color Network Abide with Vanessa Sadler Spiritual Direction with Cynthia Peters Soul Reparations Spiritual Direction with Daniele Evans Emmaus Formation Centre Soul Care with Erica Peacock Soul Care Spiritual Directors Sustainable Faith Chaplains Spiritual Directors & Leaders Spiritual Direction International Selecting the appropriate Spiritual Director is a deeply personal process, requiring careful consideration of various factors. Please discern diligently to identify the qualities and expertise that align with your specific needs and preferences. Spiritual Directors Spiritual Practice Guides Prayer of Examen Centering Prayer Lectio Divina Fixed Hour of Prayer Gratitude Rooted in Resilience Prayer of Intention Loaves and Fishes I Need You Sacred Pause Lament as Sacred Formation Welcome Practice Forgiveness Retreat Light Spiritual Practice Guides Spiritual Practices Pete Scazzero 8 Practices of Emotionally Healthy Preaching & Teaching. Listen Embodied Soul Care Groundwork Videos & Reads. View More Text & Context Readings on Soul Care & Spiritual Formation. View More A Sanctified Art In our work, remembering is a spiritual practice. We remember that God created all creation with a goodness refrain. We remember that the poetry of love proclaims that darkness is sacred and black is beautiful (Song of Songs 1:5-6). We remember that Jesus was not white. However, we remember that the white Church has perpetuated violence and oppression against black, brown, and indigenous peoples. We remember that the white Church has profited from slavery. We remember that in the 1820s, white American churches mass-produced and mass-marketed images of white Jesus in order to form a unified national identity of white superiority.* We remember that racism is still alive in our faith communities. As we remember all of these things, we commit to the ongoing work of disrupting racism wherever it persists—trusting that through this journey, God re-members us and makes us whole (*Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. (New York, NY: Nations Books, 2016). 153). View More Kelly Latimore Icons Kelly began painting icons in 2010 while a member of the Common Friars, a community focused on connection with others, the land, and God through service, meals, and farming at “The Good Earth Farm.” Inspired by traditional iconography and encouraged by a priest friend, Kelly developed a unique approach, blending inherited practices with reflections on community life and mission. His first original icon, Christ: Consider the Lilies, was shaped by the question of how to live in right relationship with creation, embodying art as a communal and contemplative expression. For Kelly, iconography is a spiritual practice, a meditation on color, light, and meaning, that seeks to cultivate dialogue, challenge biases, and reveal Christ’s presence in daily life. His work invites viewers to pause, ponder, and grow in connection with God, neighbor, and creation. View More Bette Lynn Dickinson Bette Lynn Dickinson is a prophetic artist, author, and speaker dedicated to creating sacred spaces where individuals can encounter the transformative love of Jesus. Through her evocative paintings and writings, she crafts visual parables that invite reflection on the spiritual journey. As the founder of Awakening the Soul, a nonprofit ministry, Bette offers resources and experiences designed to nourish the souls of ministry leaders and seekers alike. With a B.A. in Art from Western Michigan University and a Master of Divinity from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, she seamlessly blends theological depth with artistic expression. Her debut book, Making Room in Advent: 25 Devotions for a Season of Wonder, showcases her unique integration of art and spirituality. View More An Artist's Note The featured artwork on this page is created by or in collaboration with artists who are deeply committed to honoring the history, heritage, and lived realities of Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples. Through proceeds and partnerships, their work supports ministries and communities in ways that embody soul care, spiritual formation, justice, and a shared commitment to solidarity, healing, and advocacy. May this work stir us toward the vital practice of soul care and justice, not only as personal reflection but as part of our shared spiritual formation within God. You may already have artwork or know artists whose creativity invites this movement. Engage with them as fellow companions on this liberating path. Learn More Sanctuaries of Renewal Sanctuaries of Renewal Retreat Spaces for Rest and Reflection Tahquitz Pines Retreat View More Oak Glenn Christian Conference Center View More The Oak Center View More Monastery Retreat Centers View More Forest Home Retreat Centers View More Retreathood View More Exploring Inexpensive Housing and Pet-Sitting Platforms for Retreats As you consider creating sacred spaces for retreat...whether for solitude, soul care, or communal renewal...there may be unconventional yet accessible ways to make it possible. Platforms like GlampingHub , VRBO , or even 'pet-sitting exchanges' such as Rover or TrustedHousesitters could provide creative, budget-friendly options. These resources might open doors to peaceful stays in nature, quiet urban sanctuaries, or unexpected places of rest. But what if retreat isn’t found in a dedicated space at all? What if quiet must be carved out in the middle of noise, in a one-room home filled with children, in a war-torn city, or in the relentless rhythm of daily survival? Sacred space, then, becomes not just about location, but about intention...finding stillness in the small pauses, claiming a moment of breath between demands, or turning an ordinary corner into a refuge of prayer. Even a walk through a nearby park or path...beneath open skies, alongside trees, desert plains, rubble-strewn roads, or winding alleys...can become a sacred pilgrimage. These everyday places, whether peaceful or marked by struggle, might not be far from home, yet they can hold room for holy encounters, deep breaths, and unspoken prayers. May you be led to places that offer not just shelter, but deep renewal. And when the world around you is anything but quiet, may rest find you in the cracks and corners of your days...in a lingering sunrise, a whispered prayer, the steady rhythm of your breath. May provision meet you where you are, and may peace unfold in ways you never expected. MY CONTEMPLATION. . . by Barbara Holmes, Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village "My contemplative practices include writing, music and dancing, prayer, stillness, social justice activism, and teaching. These practices are the choices of one individual. What happens when the practices are communal and practiced together? What happens when contemplation is not a personal practice, but a collective, biogenetic, and spiritual response to crisis? Contemplation is the highest expression of [human] intellectual and spiritual life. . . It is a spiritual wonder. It is spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. . . It is a vivid realization of the fact that life and being in us proceed from an invisible, transcendent and infinitely abundant source. Contemplation is, above all, awareness of the reality of that Source [God]. Thomas Merton (1915 - 1968) reassured us that when we reach the limits of our knowledge categories and intuitions, there is a wellspring, deep and inexhaustible. In the darkness, we can gather in Spirit and be filled by this Source [God]. Contemplation is not just an effective response to crisis. It can also arise during the most intense aspects of the event. When bodies are being tortured, when minds are pushed to the breaking point, the human spirit falls through the cracks of the crisis into the center of contemplation. Howard Thurman (1899 - 1981) referred to this inner space as an island, a place that cannot be breached without personal consent: "When all hope for release in the world seems unrealistic and groundless, the heart turns to a way of escape beyond the present order." "Contemplation is not a privilege of the few but a vital necessity for our interconnected lives. We are called to stillness, to pause, and to listen deeply." Scriptural Anchors: Romans 12:1-2 | Psalm 46:10 | 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 | Isaiah 40:31 | Matthew 18:20 A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR IS SOMEONE WHO... Is guided by the Holy Spirit , in the same spirit as those who, from the earliest gatherings, sought to listen together for God’s direction (Acts 13:2–3) . We help one another attend to how the Spirit is moving and speaking in our lives. Is a Trained Listener , offering a compassionate and grounded presence as we reflect together on experiences, questions, griefs, and joys. In shared attentiveness, we discern what is unfolding in daily life and how we are invited to respond (Jn 14:26; 1 Kings 19:11–13) . Does Not Seek to Fix or Diagnose , but holds space where God’s healing and direction can emerge, even amid struggle. Spiritual direction does not remove us from our challenges; it helps us notice God’s presence and invitation within them. Asks Meaningful, Compassionate Questions , opening pathways of reflection and discernment that reflect the invitational questions of Jesus: “What are you looking for?” (Jn 1:38) or “Where do you want to be made well?” (Jn 5:6) . These questions help us listen beneath the surface without pressure or presumption. Embodies Hospitality and Confidentiality , offering a sacred and trustworthy space where we can bring our whole selves... hopes, doubts, wounds, and desires... before God (Rom 12:9–13; Heb 13:2) . Guides You in Spiritual Practices , such as silence, prayer, meditation, and reflection... that nurture our relationship with God and strengthen our attentiveness to the Spirit’s work in everyday life. Invites You into Deeper Union with God , helping us attune our hearts to God’s presence in both stillness and action, and to participate in the Spirit’s transforming work within us and through us (2 Cor 3:17–18) . Encourages Spiritual Growth Rooted in Love , supporting us as we live with greater alignment to Jesus’ teaching that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21) . As Howard Thurman wrote, “A person becomes who they are by the way they order their life around their ultimate concern.” Celebrates the Transforming Work of Grace , walking together as we notice how God’s love restores and renews our lives, just as the early Church rejoiced together in the ongoing movement of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:42–47) . Continues a Long Lineage of Spiritual Companionship grounded in training and ongoing practice in the art of spiritual direction. We follow the pattern of faithful guides throughout history who have helped communities discern God’s guidance and live into their calling (Prov 11:14; Is 30:21) . “A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR is one who helps another recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in their life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading them.” ~Thomas Merton Scriptural Anchors: Psalm 139 | Jn 10:27 | Jn 14:26 | Jn 15:26 | Acts 1:8 | Rom 8:26 | Rom 12 | 1 Thess 5:11 | 2 Timothy 2:2

Schedule a complimentary call to explore soul care and spiritual direction, ask questions about the process, and discern next steps for your spiritual journey. Complimentary Call Together, we’ll reflect on your hopes for soul care, your questions about my approach, and the needs you’re carrying. I look forward to sitting with you and beginning this journey. Schedule a Call

Natural handcrafted elderberry syrup for immune support made with wildcrafted herbs and raw honey to help ease inflammation ease cold and flu symptoms and support overall wellness with locally made options and a DIY batch guide. Elderberry Syrup Resourcing Wellness in Community 8oz Elderberry $12.00 Give your body a boost of herbal strength for immune system wellness. An incredible superfruit supplement that eases the inflamed body for all seasons. DIY Elderberry Batch $7.00 (8oz) Learn how to make your own homemade elderberry syrup! Just add water, your local honey and you’re ready to go! 12oz Elderberry $18.00 Enjoy nature’s most powerful berries. An age-old remedy used to boost the body’s immune system and help reduce cold and flu symptoms. Our Elderberry Market We are currently a local pick - up small business in the Adams-Normandie District in Los Angeles, CA desiring to expand so that more neighborhoods can recieve this resource. Local Pick-Up Directions Purchase Form PURCHASE FORM DETAILS 1. Use "Purchase Form" button a bove. 2. Fill-In your Name , Email , & Phone Number along with your Choice of Items (8oz, 12oz or DIY) & How Many . STEP 1 REVIEW YOUR PURCHASE ORDER 1. After you Review your order Click Send. 2. We have 3 Payment Methods: (1) Venmo @Cynthia-Peters-206 (2) Zelle urbanwellnessliving@gmail.com (3) Cash on Arrival STEP 2 RECEIVE OUR RESPONSE YOU WILL Receive an Urban Wellness Living Email or Text Response with the... 1 . Amount owed 2. Local Pick - Up Directions 3. And Payment Methods STEP 3 How It's Made Natural Made Elderberry Syrup Our Elderberry Syrup is handcrafted using wildcrafted and organic herbs to create an all natural remedy that helps stimulate the immune system. Ingredients include whole elderberry sambucus nigra, whole cloves, cut & sifted echinacea purpurea, cut & sifted ginger root, cut & sifted cinnamon chips and unfiltered raw honey. Our Elderberry Syrup is done in small batches for quality control, flexibility changes, affordability, and increased efficiency. To promote healthy safeguard measures, our elderberry syrup is adequately prepared by using gloves and masks. And all our bottles are cleaned in high temperature sanitizing cycles. To reduce cost for our urban community, we package our product with minimal materials that can either be used again or be recycled. In addition, it is why we are currently a local pick-up mom and pop business. Our Elderberry Syrup is made with care and thoughtfulness as it has not only impacted our family’s health but also the health of our neighbors. Note: we will be transitioning from glass bottles to plastic bottles in order to maintain our current cost structure. Benefits Immune Support Provides the body a boost of herbal strength for immune system wellness. A good source of vitamin A and C, calcium, iron, and vitamin B6. Lessen symptoms Lessens the symptoms of cold and influenza as well as reduces the recovery timeline. Allergy Relief A great natural antihistamine that defends against seasonal allergens. Ease Inflammation Helps tame inflammation and has antioxidant effects to help reduce swelling in the body while repairing the immune system. Good-Keeping Ingredients Ingredients include whole elderberry sambucus nigra, whole cloves, echinacea purpurea, ginger root, cinnamon chips and unfiltered raw honey. Dosage Children: 1 Tsp Adult: 1 TBs Intense Use: 1 Tbs every 3 to 4 hours up to 6 times per day (for children 1 Tsp). Storage Store Elderberry in the fridge. Refrigerate for up to 3 months. About the Inspiration Biddy Mason Speaks Up I continue to be deeply moved by Biddy Mason on so many fronts. Her convictions about the value of learning, the way she invested in her community, and her steady presence in both everyday needs and long-term change, these speak to me in ways that feel both grounding and inspiring. Her involvement in charitable and civic life was not small. She helped found the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, opened a school for African American children, and stood alongside her neighbors with determination and practical support. Her faith was not abstract; it shaped how she showed up for people and how she imagined a better future. I’m also struck by her work as a healer and midwife. The skills she carried... skills that saved lives, brought comfort, and strengthened families... became a lifeline for many. Knowing that elderberry syrup was one of her remedies makes me smile; it’s a reminder that healing work can be both ordinary and profound, and that what we pass down can reach far beyond where we stand. And of course, facing enslavement, discrimination, and prejudice did not crush her conviction. She continued to believe in equality, justice, and the dignity of every person. Her story isn’t simple, and her path wasn’t easy, but her resilience, clarity, and commitment remain a powerful witness. Biddy Mason’s legacy keeps calling me forward. It reminds me that courage can grow even in harsh conditions, and that faith lived with integrity can shape generations. If you haven’t spent time with her story, I truly encourage you to. Biddy Mason Speaks Up by Arisa White and Laura Atkins is a meaningful place to begin. The book offers a clear look at slavery, caste systems, and community-building in the United States, all woven together with lyrical verse, vivid illustrations, timelines, historical context, and primary sources. Throughout, the authors invite us into reflection with questions like, “How do you see power at work in your community?”... making her life not just historical, but deeply connected to the choices and struggles we see today. “The fact that flowers, herbs, and vegetables eventually burst forth from dampened seeds is always a wonder. May our individual tears moisten the soil of our common humanity, germinating seeds of hope, compassion and mercy that will blossom and heal our collective suffering” ~ Barbara A. Holmes

Every contribution matters as we walk alongside communities, cultivating lasting wellness, hope, and justice through shared restoration and generous support that reaches beyond a moment into future generations. Give Every contribution matters as we continue walking alongside our communities and building something with meaning, purpose, and long-term impact. Your giving, whether directly to us or to other like-hearted collaborations, joins a larger story of restoration, hope, and justice unfolding in our neighborhoods. Your generosity becomes part of a shared journey, one where people’s real experiences, challenges, joys, and longings meet God’s ongoing work of renewal. And whether your path has been shaped by resilience, overwhelming grief, perseverance, or steady faith, your action helps spark movement toward healing that reaches beyond a single moment and into future generations. My family and I genuinely appreciate you for being a connector, a co-creator, and a collaborator in cultivating wellness rhythms that honor every story and every season of life. Your support means more than we can fully express, and we hold it with gratitude and humility. Thank You So Much! Ways to Give Paypal Venmo Zelle Linktree "What is important is how well we love. God will make our love fruitful, whether we see that fruitfulness or not." ~ Bread for the Journey A Sacred Thread (A brief note about my heritage)